Greece – June 23rd-30th, 2019

About

Welcome to a week long yoga retreat with limitless blue skies and the Ionian sea on the flourishing island of Lefkada. There are few places in the world more spectacular than Greece! The air is the perfect temperature for relaxing on the balcony, swimming in the sea, and star gazing at the most striking night sky. Experience deep yoga practices, philosophical discussions and meditation, as you dine on cleansing organic gourmet meals. Soak in this magical environment in a secluded location, perfect for unplugging. We even have our own massage therapist, Becky Gardner, joining us to give each participant a complimentary massage. Leave feeling inspired, rejuvenated and balanced.

Location

Urania Luxury Villas

The island of Lefkada is a magical place for total relaxation. Set on a cliff top overlooking the incredible Ionian Sea and the mystical silhouettes of Ithaca, Kefalonia and other islands. It is a secluded resort, with only our retreat participants present, we have the most peaceful environment from which to watch every sunrise over the sea. The site of the Villas compliment one another perfectly. They’re nestled among oak and olive trees, highlighting the exquisite locale and providing ideal conditions for a unique experience!

More Information on Accommodations below.

Cuisine

You can expect 3 artistically prepared, Greek-inspired organic meals a day with dessert after dinner! Our talented chef, Ourania, prepares authentic Mediterranean meals, with fresh local ingredients and so much love infused into every bite! Your stay is sure to be nourishing and balancing. The menu incorporates a lot of variety, including freshly caught fish. Ourania can accommodate all dietary requirements but in order to guarantee this, please notify us when you join. Be ready for a unique and savory culinary adventure!

Yoga

Yoga will be offered daily. Mornings will start with an optional early meditation or hike. Practice will involve a 75 minute uplifting morning flow before breakfast and afternoon/evening practices will vary throughout the week. Some days, an afternoon practice that is slower, involving longer holds and deeper connections will be held before dinner; leaving us time to enjoy tea and discussions following our meal. Other days, we will leave the evening available for a candlelit yin practice and meditation after dinner.

You will learn mindfulness meditation techniques, acquire tools to de-stress, and make deeper connections with yourself. Group discussions include topics that arise naturally throughout the retreat, surrounding some of the most fundamental and fascinating questions about life. Some examples: learning to let go of what is unimportant, cultivating compassion, what is our soul’s purpose? etc.

There will be the option for an afternoon workshop on either arm balancing or partner yoga by the pool! Depending on your preference, your classes will include lots of hands-on love (adjustments) with an interweaving of ethereal yet meticulous instruction, including a captivating and uninterrupted view!

Itenirary

All aspects of the retreat are entirely optional, we welcome you to join and invite you to choose relaxation or introspection whenever you wish!

6:30am Early Morning optional Silent Meditation/Hike

7:30am Yoga Practice

9am Breakfast

1pm Lunch

(5pm Yoga Practice)

6:30pm Dinner (followed by tea and philosophical discussions)

(8pm Yin Yoga/Meditation Practice)

(Note: If the event is in brackets it will vary depending on the day. Some evenings, there will even be activities available, such as DIY natural face masks.
One day we will not have the afternoon/evening practice and it will be a day off to rest and relax or join us on a private boat trip to nearby islands!)

On days that we will not have anything planned in the afternoon, we will provide you with the option to take a short ride to one of the nearby world class beaches with breathtaking beauty. Enjoy the sheer cliffs and turquoise waters of Porto Katsiki (15 minute trip). We will pack snacks for the trip or even lunch if you choose to leave right after breakfast. You can also visit the famous port of Vassiliki (10 minute trip) which is known for water sports, or enjoy time on the bay with it’s charming boutiques and port side cafes.

All afternoons there is opportunity to take some time to nap, read, swim, or lounge at your private pool deck.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a 45 minute hike to the private pebbled beach with crystal clear waters. This area belongs to the environmental protection network, because it is a habitat for dolphins and seals; if you’re lucky you may even be able to spot one!

Accommodations

Your 7 night stay will be in one of four architecturally designed villas made of local sandstone. Every room in these stunning villas has endless views of the Sea. They are all stylishly decorated and spacious. Each Villa has luxurious rooms with jacuzzi baths or walk-in showers. Enjoy fully equipped kitchens (stocked daily with water, juice and fruit), a private pool, with large decks, sun loungers and umbrellas as well as outdoor showers. There is wifi available in all the villas and they are all air-conditioned. This heavenly space is a truly precious charm among yoga retreat venues in Europe.

$2250CAD (price includes taxes) per individual in a double occupancy room with an en-suite bathroom.SAVE $100 BY SUBMITTING YOUR DEPOSIT BEFORE DECEMBER 31st!
Early-Bird Price of: $2150CAD

$3150CAD (price includes taxes) for single occupancy with private en-suite bathroom (Limited Space)

*There will be a free day (which includes an early morning practice + meditation) to do whatever you wish, or to join us on a private boat trip!

>Airport Departure Taxes
>Transfers to and from the Retreat Center
> Travel Insurance
>Retreat Center Staff Gratuity
>Excursions (you can contact me to inquire about costs for last years boat trip/cab rides to the nearby beaches, all very reasonably priced!)

*We will likely be on a group flight if you’re leaving from Toronto. Upon our arrival to Athens we will have organized a group bus ride from the airport to our Villas (each person will pay cash in Euros for this). Of course you have the option of finding your own way there. We will all arrive in time to have dinner together! On our departure evening we will have a closing ceremony and departure day, we will have a final breakfast and farewell!